Ocean Biomedical Advances Malaria Vaccine Research with New NIH Funding and Expedited Development Pathway

Core Insights - Ocean Biomedical has received significant funding from the NIH to advance malaria vaccine research led by Dr. Jonathan Kurtis [1][6] - The FDA's new guidance on lipid-encapsulated vaccines may expedite the development of Ocean Biomedical's innovative malaria vaccine approach [1][5] Company Overview - Ocean Biomedical is a biopharma company based in Providence, Rhode Island, focused on developing and commercializing scientifically compelling assets from research institutions [9][10] - The company is currently working on five promising discoveries, including treatments for malaria, lung cancer, and brain cancer [10] Research and Development - Dr. Kurtis and his team have identified a unique protein, GARP, on malaria-infected red blood cells, which is linked to natural resistance in children [3][4] - The research team is testing three vaccine candidates in non-human primates, supported by a $4.6 million grant [4] - An additional $3.5 million NIH grant was secured to further identify vaccine targets against severe malaria in children [6] Market Context - Malaria is a significant global health issue, causing over 500,000 child deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa [2][8] - The FDA's guidance on lipid-encapsulated mRNA vaccines could facilitate a faster transition to human trials, with potential trials starting as early as Q4 2025 [5]